CARE begins listening tour on possible penny sales tax

A Beaufort County community education group is holding the first session of its listening tour Wednesday in a county-wide effort to gather people’s opinions on a possible 1-percent educational sales tax to pay for capital projects.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at St. Helena Island library, 1025 Sea Island Pkwy., St. Helena Island.

Two other sessions are scheduled:

6:30 p.m. March 16 at the community room of Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 111 Mathews Drive, Hilton Head Island

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All members of the public are invited, and CARE will provide residents’ feedback to the school district.

Superintendent Jeff Moss has proposed the 1 percent educational sales tax, estimated to generate about $282 million over 10 years. The money would fund the construction of several schools, maintenance projects like roof and HVAC replacements, and would contribute to lowering residents’ property taxes on the school district’s debt service.

Moss asked the body to decide by April whether to pursue a sales tax. It would need to finalize a referendum question by Aug. 15.

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